Machine for making sheet-metal vessels



(No Model.) 9 Sheets-Sheet 1.

. E. SMALL. MACHINE FOR MAKING SHEET METAL VESSELS.

No. 509,456. Patented Nov. 28, 1893.

INVENTOR:

WITNESSES:

ATTORNEY.

we NATIONAL LITNDGRAFHING COMPANY,

wAsnmnToN. a. c.

(No Model.) 9 Sheets-Sheet 2.

' E. SMALL. MACHINE FOR MAKINGSHBET METAL YESSELS. N0. 509,456.

Patented Nov. 28, 1893;

IHIIIII INVENTOR:

- WITNESSES:

BY CAM ATTORNEY.

ml roman. MAPPING couum.

umiuu. m

(No Model.) 9 sheets sheet 3.

E. SMALL. MACHINE FOR MAKING SHEET METAL VESSELS.

No. 509,456. Patented Nov.28, 1893.

WITNESES: INVENTOR:

J2. 6 6 4mm BY 0AM BWCCW ATTORNEY.

(No Model.)

9 SheetsSheet 4. E. SMALL. MACHINE FOR MAKING SHEET METAL YESSBLS.

Patented Nov. 28, 1893.

n ma gg 'm WITNESSES: INVENTOR:

BY v 0AM @wLLW ATTORNEY.

WASNINGTON. a. c.

(No Model.) 9 Sheets-Shed 5. E. SMALL.

MACHINE FOR MAKING SHEBT'METALVESSELS.

Patented Nov 28, 1893.

INVENTOR:

WITNESSES wxm "BY lam- ATTORNEY.

ms ui'norm. L'mooeanmmn comum'.

wmmuven. D. c.

(No Model.) 9 SheetsSheet a. E. SMALL. MACHINE FOR MAKING SHEET METALVESSBLS. No. 509,456. Patented Nov.28,1893.

E l 33 h Q ATTORNEY.

(N0 Mndel.) 9 Sheets-Sheet 7.

E. SMALL. MACHINE FOR MAKING SHEET METAL VESSELS.

No. 509,456. Patented Nov. 28,1898.

\S' y 0 -35 S I Y E WITNESSES: INVENTOR:

' 7 BY 0AM 3 ATTORNEY.

7n: mmomu. LIYNOGRAPNINI: COMPANY.

WlBNINGTON. D O.

(No Model.) 9 Sheets-Sheet 9.

E. SMALL. MACHINE FOR MAKING SHEET METAL VESSELS. I No. 509,456.Patented Nov. 28, 1893.

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,a v? \Q K W I 9 j F" WITNESSES: INVENTOR:

ATTORNEY.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD SMALL, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

MACHINE FOR MAKING SH EET-METAL VESSELS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 509,456, dated November28, 1893. Application filed July 30, 1888. Renewed April 28, 1898.Serial No. 472,278- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EDWARD SMALL, acitizen of theUnited States,residingat Baltimore, in the State of Maryland, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Automatic Machines for Making Sheet-MetalVessels, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a new and improved machine or combination ofmechanisms for automatically converting a series of prepared body blanksand a corresponding series of head or bottom blanks into a series ofbeaded vessels, by first forming the body blanks into cylindrical orother form and uniting the edges, and applying a head blank to theformed body and securing it in position thereon, all of said operationsbeing automatically performed and in their proper sequence.

The complete machine comprises or includes the following co-operatingparts or mechanisms: first, a body-blank holder or receptacle forreceiving a series of prepared blanks; second, a blank selecting deviceor mechanism for removing the blanks one at a time; third, translatingdevices arranged to engage and advance the blank last acted upon by theselecting device; fourth, edging devices receiving the blanks from thetranslating devices and adapted to prepare the edges for the action ofthe side seaming devices; fifth, translating devices arranged andadapted to engage and advance the blanks last acted upon by the edgingdevices; sixth, bodyforming devices ormechanism receivingthe blanksfromthe last mentioned translating devices and adapted to bend or shapeit into the tubular form of the vessel or the body portion thereof;seventh, a side seaming device or mechanism for uniting or looking theedges of the blank to preserve the tubular form given the body by thebody forming devices; eighth, translating devices arranged and adaptedto engage and advance the formed and seamed body; ninth, clamps orholders for receiving the body, moving it into position to receive thehead and sustainingit during the heading operation; tenth, a head blankholder or receptacle for receiving and sustaining a series of preparedblanks; eleventh, a blank selecting device or mechanism for removingsuccessive head-blanks; twelfth,

translating devices arranged and adapted to engage and advance the blanklast acted upon by said blank-selecting device; thirteenth, a h

heading device or mechanism arranged and adapted to receive the blanksas delivered by the last mentioned translating devices, and to cooperatewith the body supported by the clamps or holder, and apply and secureupon said body the head-blank: delivered by the said translatingdevices; fourteenth, connecting mechanism uniting said severalmechanisms, to cause them to automatically and successively perform theseveral operations referred to.

In the accompanying drawings wherein I have shown one of the best formsin which I contemplate applying and embodying my invention, Figure 1 isa top plan view of the machine. Fig. 2 is a side elevation. Fig. 3 is adetail View of the mandrel and clutchlever. Fig. 4 is a verticallongitudinal section of the machine. Fig. 5 is a rear elevation of themachine. Figs. 6,7 and 8 are detail views of the heading mechanism ordevices. Fig. 9 is a vertical cross-section on the line 99, Figs. 1 and2. Figs. 10 and 11 are detail views of the mechanism for reciprocatingthe edges. Fig. 12 is a vertical crosssection of the machine on the linel212 Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 13 illustrates details of the edging tool. Fig.14 is a vertical crosssection on the lines 14 Figs. 1 and 2 showing themagnetic blank selecting device. Fig. 15 is a vertical longitudinalsection on the line 15 Fig. 1 showing the blank selecting device,translating devices and a portion of the edging mechanism. Fig. 16 is asectional plan view on line 16 Figs. 2 and 4. Fig. 17 is a side view ofthe completed can or vessel. Fig. 18 contains edge and top views of thebody-blank. Fig. 19 contains edge and top views of the body blank afterit has been edged. Fig. 20 is an end view of the tubular body or vesselpreparatory to sideseaming. Fig. 21 is a sectional view showing the seamor joint. Fig. 22 contains edge and bottom views of the cap or bottomblank. Fig. 23 is a side View of the seamed tubular body and detachedbottom blank.

Similar letters and numerals refer to the different parts of theinvention wherever they occur.

Inasmuch as the particular embodiment of the invention represented inthe drawings is designed for the manufacture of cylindrical vessels,such as cans, &c., the variousoperations performed will be describedwith reference to the formation of such vessels, al-

, though, as will be obvious, by slight changes in the form andconstruction of individual parts, and the proper adaptation of the meansto the end, other forms of tubular vessels can as readily be producedwithout departing from the spirit of the present invention.

For convenience of description the several distinct mechanisms orcombinations of devices forming the elements of the general combinationor machine will be separately explained and their co-operative relationspointed out. Two series of blanks are first prepared, in any suitablemanner and of the proper forms and dimensions to produce the desiredvessel or can; thus in the present instance where a can Fig. 17 is to bemade, the body-blanks 7 are prepared as shown in Fig. 18 and thehead-blanks S, as shown in Fig. 22. Each series of blanks-body andhead-is properly located and held in position with relation to theselecting and translating devices by means of a specially preparedholder or receptacle. The body-blanks 7, superimposed one upon anotherto form a column of the requisite dimensions, are placed in the holderor receptacle B, provided with guides to retain the blanks in positionand prevent lateral displacement, and having an elevator or movablesupport 0 (Figs. 14 and 15) upon which the column of blanks rests and bywhich it is gradually elevated, as the uppermost blank is removed. Inlike manner the holder B (Figs. 2 and 3) for the head blanks is providedwith guides and an elevator or movable support.

Near each holder or receptacle B B is arranged a blank selecting deviceor mechanism, adapted and arranged to remove the topmost blank, so as toisolate it from the column of blanks in the holder or receptacle, andsustain it in position to be acted upon by the translating devices. Theblank selecting device appropriated to the body-blank holder B, consistsessentially of a magnet or magnets 0 (two or more magnets are preferablyemployed to prevent the blank from tilting and to preserve itshorizontal position) mounted to reciprocate vertically toward and fromthe top of the column of blanks, so as to engage and elevate the topmostblank at each reciprocation of the magnet or magnets. Between successiveexcursions of the magnetic selector, the column of blanks is elevated bythe movement of the platen or elevator 0, so that the topmost blank ofthe column will be maintained in proper co-operative relation with themagnetic selector at each succeeding excursion. A similar magneticselector 0 is arranged to reciprocate toward and from the column ofhead-blanks and operates to engage and elevate the topmost blank at eachreciprocation of said magnet. The magnetic selector 0 serves merely toseparate the topmost blank from the column and hold it suspended inposition to be engaged and operated upon by the translating device,whose ofiice it is to transfer the now isolated blank from the selectorto the edging devices or mechanism. The translating devices referred toare represented by pushers 38 (Fig. 15) mounted to reciprocate laterallyof the selector C, and so arranged that in their forward movement theyengage the blank, and, removing it from the selector, deliver it inproper position to be acted upon bythe edging mechanism. The edgingmechanism is provided with a press or clamp into which the blank isdelivered and upon which it is properly located by the translatingmechanism referred to, said clamp serving to firmly hold the blank whileits opposite edges 9 h are being bent or formed into shape byappropriate edging tools. Thus, in the example given, the blank issecured and held between a fixed horizontal platen on the under side ofthe table 2, and a movable presser-block T arranged below the fixedplaten. See Figs. 12 and 15. The edging tools shown, consist essentiallyof two dies e, Figs. 12. and 13, properly shaped to form or bend theedges of the blank preparatory to the side-seaming operation, said diesbeing mounted to reciprocate upon opposite sides of the press or clampand longitudinally of the edges of the blank, so as to engage the latterand flange or bend them, as represented in Fig. 19, the flange or bendformed along one edge 9 of the blank being made somewhat wider than thatupon the opposite edge h. The blank may, if desired, be otherwise shapedor impressed during the clamping operation by providing thepresser-block T and platen with appropriate dies or figures; thus in theillustration Fig. 15 the presser-block is shown provided with a groovesuitable for producing a bead 9 on the blank. See Fig. 19.

The blank having been properly edged and the presser-block T retracted,the next operation performed is the removal of the blank from the edgingdevices to the body forming mechanism. To accomplish this a second setof translating devices is employed, the same comprising the prongs orpushers 62, (Figs. 5 and 12) mounted to reciprocate transversely of theedging dies. These pushers move between the platen and presser-block ofthe blank holder, and engage the blank lying upon the presser-blockwithits edges or flanges upturned. These translating devices, represented bypushers 62, advance the blank upon suitable supports 63 and present itin position to engage or be engaged by the body forming devices. Thebody forming mechanism is here represented as an intermitting rotatingmandrelA (Figs.1,4, 9 and 12) grooved longitudinally to receive theturned or flanged edges of the blank, and two rollers G, supported in aframe H movable toward andfrom the manor bottom thereto, to finish thevessel.

drel A. The blank acted upon by the trans lating devices 62 is advanceduntil the up turned edge next the mandrel enters the groove in thelatter, where it is'caught, and, the mandrel being rotated and therollers G advanced, the blank is wrapped or bent into the cylindrical ortubular form of the body of the vessel to be produced, the oppositeupturned edges g, h of the blanks being brought together and projectingwithin thegroove of the mandrel. The body having thus been formed, themotion of the mandrel is arrested, and the side seaming devices arebrought into action. The side seaming mechanism is designed to lock orseam together the proximate edges of the now tubular blank, and itcomprises a seaming device tool (1 (similar to that described in PatentNo. 355,108, dated December 28, 1886) reciprocating longitudinally ofthe mandrel A in the groove therein, and a staybar N (Fig. 12) movabletoward and from the mandrel and operating to sustain the body during theformation and completion of the seam by the seaming tool. The bodyportion of the can or vessel is now fully formed and completed, and itonly remains to apply the head In effecting this a third translatingdevice or mechanism is arranged to engage the body and carry it forwardto the heading devices. A translating device of this kind is representedby a pusher or pushers g (preferably two or more) arranged to movelongitudinally of the mandrelAand engaging the body. The pushers g arearranged to traverse in grooves formed in the mandrel, to insure theirengagement with the body surrounding the latter, and they deliver ordeposit the body within the clamps or holders of the heading mechanism,in position to be subjected to the action of the heading die or otherdevices for applying and securing the head in or upon,

one end of the tubular body. These body clamps or holders are arrangedto receive the body from the translating devices last referred to, andserve to hold and maintain the bodyin proper relation to the headingmechanism during the heading operation. As shown the body clamp isformed in two sections E (Figs. 5 and 6), having their gripping facesconcaved or otherwise suitably shaped to secure the body between them.The sections E are mounted to reciprocate toward and from a central linein the plane of the axis of mandrel A, being retracted, to open theclamp or holder as the body is advanced and delivered between thesections by the translating devices, and then advanced to close upon andclamp the body; said clamp is also mounted to oscillate orturn about anaxis transverse to the mandrel, so that when the body has been graspedand while firmly held in the clamp or holder it may be turned andbrought into position to be acted upon by the heading mechanism. Theclamp or holdertis thus brought in line with the mandrel on which thebody is formed, and opened to receive the body from the translatingdevices, after which it is closed to clamp the body, carried around tosubmit the body to the action of the heading mechanism, and thenreturned to its first position in line with the mandrel, so that as thenext succeeding body is advanced by the translating devices, it willdischarge the finished or headed vessel from the clamp or holder.

The heading mechanism of the machine shown (Figs. 5, 6 and 7) iscomposed essentially of two opposed reciprocating dies I, J, the onearranged above and the other below the body clamp or holder when thelatter is swung around to bring the body in line with 4 said dies. Thelower die J is concaved or suitably formed to receive the head blank andact upon the end of the body heldin the clamp or holder to crimp the endof thebody upon the head blank and form a securejoint or seam at thatpoint. Between the lower heading die J and the selector B of theheadblank holder, is located a translating device arranged and adaptedto engage the blank held by the selector C and transfer it into positionupon said die for application to the end of the body. This translatingmechanism (Figs. l, 2, and 4:) comprises a suitable guide or wayprovided with fixed abutments or detents reciprocating pushers 98engaging the blank held by the magnet- O and delivering it onto saidguide; and a reciprocating plate 96 provided with a series of detents orpivoted fingers 99 and movable longitudinally of said guide or way 95.The separator and translating mechanisms for operating upon the headblank are timed to deliver a blank upon the head die J between thecompletion or heading of one vessel and the presentation of the nextsucceeding body by the clamps or holder. All the operations referred to,with the single exception of placing the head and body blanks in theirrespective holders, are automatically performed and although indescribing the co-operative relations of the several mechanisms but asingle blank has been followed through the machine, it will beunderstood that a number of blanks, one succeeding another, are beingoperated upon at the same time.

It only remains to supply competent connecting mechanism or actuatingdevices uniting the several devices or mechanisms referred to, andproperly time the movements of the parts. Such a connecting mechanism isillustrated and will now be described, to gether with the details ofconstruction whereby the several devices are adapted thereto. Theseveral co-operating mechanisms, are preferably mounted upon a connectedframe, of which 1 is the base, 2 the top-plate and 3 the legs orsupports. L is the main driving shaft or prime mover from which all thedevices derive their motions. Instead of applying power directly to thisshaft L it is transmitted thereto through suitable gearing P, 6,

from a counter-shaft L mounted in bearings 4 and provided with a clutchand pulley 5. The elevator c for elevating the columns of body blanksafter the topmost one has been withdrawn by the selector 0, is supportedupon a non-rotating screw .9 whose threads are engaged by the threads ina separable or two part nut attached to a ratchet wheel 10. Anintermitting rotatory motion is given the ratchet wheel 10 by an arm 11(see Fig. 16) pivotally supported upon the hub of said wheel, andcarrying a pawl 12 in engagement with the teeth on the ratchet wheel.The free end of arm 11 is connected, by a rod 13, with one arm of a bellcrank lever 14, fulcrumed at 15. The other arm of the lever 14 isfurnished with a toothed segment 16 in gear with a like segment 17 on alever 18, the latter pivoted at 19 upon a standard 20 and carrying afriction roller (indicated by dotted lines 21 in Fig. 12) engaging thewalls of groove 22 in cam wheel D on shaft L. At each revolution of themain drive-shaft the arm 11 carrying pawl 12 willbe reciprocated one ormore times, thereby turning the nut and raising the screw 8 and elevatorc a distance equal to the thickness of one blank. The magnets C of thebody blank selector are attached to and carried bya holder 23 (Figs. 14and 15) guidedto reciprocatein guides 24. The shank 25 of the holder isconnected to a bellcrank lever 26, pivoted at 27; and a rod 28 connectsthe other arm ofthe lever 26 with a stud 29 (Figs. 2and 5) on aplate 30,the latterguided to reciprocate upon a bracket 31. The plate 30 receivesmotion from a cam 37 on main drive shaft L, through a lever O rods 33and levers 32. The lever C is pivoted at 35 and its short arm carries aroller 36 in engagement with cam 37 while its longer arm is connected byrods 33 with levers 32 engaging the plate 30. A spring 34 connected torod 33 serves to hold the plate 30 projected and the roller 36 inengagement with cam 37, the latter operating to retract the plate. Hencethe movement of said plate in a direction to causethe magnets toapproach and make contact with the blanks is produced by the spring;whereas the movement in the opposite direction is positive, beingeffected by the cam. The pushers 38 of the first translating device areattached to and partake of the motions of shanks e carrying the edgingtools or dies, and their movements as derived from the main-shaft willbe explained in connection with the edging mechanism. The presser-blockT of the edging mechanism is provided with a shank or stem 56 (Figs. 12and 15) working in guides 58 and carrying a roller 57, which latterrests on a lever T pivoted at 59 and carrying rollers in contact withcams 61 on main drive shaft L. Thus at each revolution of the drivingshaft the presser-block is caused to make one or more recip-rocations,each time clamping a blank and holding it firmly while the edges arebeing turned. The cams 61 are so shaped as to hold the presser-block inits elevated position while the edging tools are operating upon theblank, and then to lower the presserblock and permit it to remain for ashort interval in its retracted position while one set of translatingdevices is removing the edged blank, and the other set is inserting anew blank.

The devices for operating the edging tools are shown in detail in Figs.9, 10 and 11. A plate or block 43, detachably secured to the top plate 2is provided, on its under side, with under-cut or dove-tail ways 44 toreceive the correspondingly shaped tool-shanks e. Each shank e isprovided with a rack-bar 45, in engagement with a pinion 46 mounted upona bolt 47 fixed. to the plate 43. Between the two pinions 46 is a doublerack-bar e secured to a slide bar 48 supported in ways on the plate 43.As thus arranged, when motion is communicated to the central rack-bar ein one direction it will efiect a simultaneous movement in an oppositedirection ofboth tool shanks e.

Motion is transmitted to the rack-bar e from the main drive shaft L bythe following devices (see Figs. 2 and 9): A link54 engaging a stud 55on rack'bar c is connected to one arm 52 of a lever 49, the latterpivoted in bracket 50 and provided with another arm 51 carrying a roller53 engagingthe walls of a groove 22 in cam D on the main driving shaft.The edging tools or dies F are formed or provided with turning dies fhaving expanded curved walls at their front end and terminating ininclined vertical slots or openings as shown in Figs. 12 and 13. Thesedies are secured to the under side of the shanks e, and are caused tooperate upon the projecting edges of the blank held in the press as thedies are retracted, that is to say, when they are moved from the lefttoward the right hand of the machine represented in Figs. 1 and 2. Thepushers 38 (Figs. 14 and 15) are attached to the shanks e, at pointsintermediate the dies F and pinion 46, and are so arranged relatively tothe lifting magnets C, that the latter will raise the blank and hold itbetween the pushers 38 and dies F, in position to be engaged by the saidpushers as the shanks e move to the left, thus carrying the blankbetween the members of the press. It is upon the return movement, to theright, that the edging tools F engage the blank previously brought toposition by the pushers 38, and it is after said blank has beencompletely edged and during an interval while the tools F re mainstationary,that the magnetsC are caused to elevate the next succeedingblank into position in front of pushers 38. While the shanks e are heldretracted, after the dies F have been drawn along the edges of theblanks and have completed the. edging of the latter, the

lating device or mechanism comprises two push ers 62 attached to thereciprocating plate 30, through which motion is transmitted to themagnet holder 23. As the plate 30 is advanced to cause the descent ofthe magnetholder, the pushers 62 moving transversely to the edgingtools, slide the edged blank from the presser-block onto the supports 63into position to be engaged by the mandrel of the body formingmechanism.

The mandrel A of the body forming mechanism is mounted in bearings onthe frame and is provided with a pinion 64 in gear with a wheel 0loosely supported upon the maindriving shaft and connected thereto atintervals by an automatic clutch device 0 carried by wheel P andoperated by a cam O on the frame. This clutch mechanism is constructedand operated as follows: The teeth on wheel 0 are, in numbers, amultiple of those on pinion 64, and said wheel is provided with two ormore ahutments or shoulders 0 dividing the wheel into equal sections,each of which represents one or more diameters of the pinion 64. On thewheel Pis mounted a pivoted dog 0, in position, when projected, toengage the abutments on wheel 0; said dog is mounted upon a pin or shaftcarrying an arm 0 projecting in the plane of a fixed cam 0 The dog 0 isnormally held retracted by a spring. The wheel P carrying dog '0'rotates continuously with shaft L, and as the arm 0 rides upon cam O thedog is projected and caused to engage one of the abutments 0 on wheel 0,

thereby connecting said wheels 0, P, and causing their simultaneousmovement. The cam 0 holds the two wheels locked together while themandrel is making one or more complete rotations, after which the dogpasses off the cam and is retracted by its spring to release wheel 0.After the wheel 0 is thus released from the driving mechanism, anautomatic clamping or holding device is applied to the mandrel to centerand hold it stationary while the side seaming operation is beingperformed. Such a clamping device is represented in detail, in Fig.3.The mandrel A is provided with a socket 82 with which a pin 84 on leverR is caused to engage, to hold the mandrel and prevent rotation thereof.The lever B is pivoted at 83 and actuated in one direction, to engagethe mandrel, by a spring 85, and in its opposite direction, to releasethe mandrel, by a cam 86 on main drive shaft L. The cam 86 is of properform to retract the pin 84: at the time or slightlyin advance of themovement of the mandrel, and to permit the forward motion of the leverbefore the rotary motion of the mandrel ceases, so that the pin 84 willbe held by the spring pressed against the mandrel, to insure theentrance of the pin in the groove as the mandrel is released by thedriving mechanism. The mandrel A is furnished with a longitudinal groove0 within which the upturned edge of the blank is received when thelatter is advanced by pushers 62. The two rollers G which press and holdthe blank upon the mandrel as the latter is rotated to form the body,are journaled in a frame H, (Figs. 4. and 12) guided to reciprocatetoward and from the mandrel, and carrying friction rollers Z restingupon cams Z on main drive-shaft L. The cams Z are of suitable form toelevate and sustain the rollers during the body forming operation.

The side seaming devices, which, in this instance, are constructed andarranged to operate upon the body immediately after it has been formedinto shape, and while still remaining upon the mandrel, are arranged foroperation as follows: The side-seam staybar N extending longitudinallyof the mandrel is mounted in a vertically guided frame and is acted uponby cam 37 on the shaft L; the stay-bar is advanced by the cam and holdsit firmly in contact with the body, in line with the meeting edges,while the mandrel is at rest and the seaming tool in operation. Theseaming tool d attached to a toolbar 05 (Fig. 9) is guided toreciprocate longitudinally of the mandrel within the groove 0 therein,and operates upon the edges of the blank to form an interlocking or coilseam t. The reciprocating movement is imparted to the tool-bar by agrooved cam wheel D on the main drive shaft L, co-operating with theroller 66 on the toolbar, said roller standing in groove 22 when themain shaft is brought to a state of rest. The seaming tool (1 employedin this machine is preferably of substantially the constructiondescribed in my Patent No. 355,108, and is arranged with the flaringopen end facing the cam whee1 D. lVhile the body is being formed bywrapping or bending the blank about the mandrel the seaming tool is heldnear the end of the mandrel beyond the blank, and after the body hasbeen formed, the mandrel brought to rest, and the stay-barelevated, thetool bar is retracted by cam D and the seaming tool cl is thus drawnalong the two edges of the blank projecting Within groove 0 to form theseam or joint and complete the body, Fig. 23. The translating devices orpushers g for advancing the finished body to the heading clamps arebrought into action simultaneously with the return of the seaming toolafter it has completed the body. To effect this the mandrel A isfurnished with longitudinal grooves for the accommodation of bars gfilling said grooves and standing flush with the surface of the mandrel.These bars carry at one end springs constituting the pushers and areconnected to a collar or crosshead g secured to the tool bar 65, andpartaking of the movements thereof. It will thus be seen that when thetool bar is retracted and the seaming tool finishes its work, the bars 9will also be retracted until the springs g, which are depressed whilepassing through the body, project again beyond the endof the body of themandrel. As the seaming tool is re turned to the opposite end ofitsstroke, in pos1- tion to act upon the next succeeding body, the pushersg are also advanced and shove the finished body off longitudinally ofthe mandrel and deposit it in the clamps (Figs. 5, 6, and 7). The clampsections E are each secured to the inner end of a shaft 67 supported inbearings in a frame M located beyond and extending on opposite sides ofthe end of mandrel A. The opening between the clamp sections E is inline with the mandrel A so that the finished body is advanced by thepushers g directly between said clamp sections, and as the stroke of thepushers is uniform the bodies will always be carried for-v ward the samedistance, therebyinsuring the proper location of the body within saidclamp. The shafts 67 are simultaneously reciprocated but in oppositedirections, to clamp and release the body, by means of levers K, pivotedat and provided at one end with collars 81 loosely fitting the shafts 67but held from longitudinal motion thereon by collars or stops fixed tosaid shafts, and the opposite ends of said levers R are each providedwith a pin or roller is resting in a slot 79 in crosshead 71, said slotsbeing provided with substantially parallel vertical upper portions, andcurved or converging lower portions, so that when the cross-head 71 isat one extreme of its movement, the shafts 67 will be retracted, to openthe clamp, and at allother positions of said cross-head they will beheld projected and the clamp closed. When the finished body is deliveredby pushers g between the clamp sections, the curved portions of theslots 79 are in engagement with the levers R and the clamp sections areretracted, but as soon as the body has been properly located, thecross-head 71 begins to descend forcing the shafts 67 inward and closingthe clamp on the body between them. The shafts 67 form axes about whichthe clamp sections turn, to bring the body in line with the headingdies, to effect which the yokes 69 connected by rods 68 to cross-head 71are provided with gear teeth q, engaging gear teeth 1 on the shaft 67,so that as said yokes and the cross-head are reciprocated, the clampwill be closed and then given a quarter turn, to bring them opposite theheading dies; and after the heading operations have been completed, theclamp will be turned back in line with the mandrel, and theclamp-sections separated, whereupon the next succeeding body will beadvanced to push out the completed vessel and occupy its place in theclamp. The yokes 69 are carried by rods 68 movable vertically in guidesand connected by crossheads 70, 71, the first below the drive shaft andthe second above the press-frame M. The rods and cross-heads are movedin one direction by springs 73 supported in tubular sockets 72, while acam 74 on shaft L, acting through a roller a on cross-head 70, movesthem in the opposite direction, that is downward. The shank 75 of theupper headdie I is secured in the cross-head 71, and moves with thelatter, while the shank 76 of the lower head-die J moves in guides 77,and

carries a roller 78 resting upon a camf on main drive-shaft L. As thecross-head 71 descends the clamps are closed upon the body, and turned aquarter around, to bring the body in line with the head dies I, J; thecontinued downward movement of the cross-head brings the upper die Idown upon the end of the clampsections and the end of the body heldthereto. The lower head die J, containing a head-blank is now forced upagainst the lower end of the body, inserting the head and bending theedges down so as to overlap and confine the head in place, after whichthe lower die is retracted, and the cross-head yokes and upper dieelevated, thereby turning the clamps back in line with the mandrel andseparating the clamp sections to release the finished vessel and admitthe next body.

Turning now to the devices for supplying the heading mechanism with headblanks (Figs. 2, at, 5 and 16),'s is the non-rotating screw supportingthe elevator upon which the column of head or bottom blanks 8 rests; 86is the ratchet wheel carrying the separable nut for elevating screw 3;87 is a connecting rod uniting the arm carrying the pawl to a crank 88on lower end of shaft 89, and 90, 91 are pinions connecting the maindrive shaft L with shaft 89. To the cross-head 71 is secured by bolts95, an arm 92 carrying the magnet C of the head-blank selector, saidmagnet being suspended above the upper end of holder B, whereby, at eachreciprocation of the cross-head'71, marking the completion of a vessel,the magnet will be brought into engagement with and elevate the topmostblank. Upon a bracket 94: is formed a guide or way 95 along which theblanks travel and from which they are delivered onto the lower die J.Upon a plate 96 guided and reciprocating on roller 97 resting uponbracket 94 are mounted two hooks or pushers 98 which engage thehead-blank suspended on the magnet 0 and push it onto the way 95.Depending from the plate 96 is a series of dogs or pawls 99 standingwith their free or engaging ends inclined toward the head-die J, andresting upon the way 95, which latter is provided with lugs 100. Theplate 96 is reciprocated by an arm 101 attached to a rod 102; said rodis supported to reciprocate longitudinally in bearing 103 and ispivotally connected at 10 to a lever connected by a link 106 to thelever 18 controlled by cam D. At each reciprocation of plate 96 a blankwill be deposited upon the way 95, and these blanks previously depositedand lying upon said way will each be advanced beyond the lug in front ofit, while the foremost blank will be pushed onto the head-die J.

From the foregoing description and explanation it plainly appears thatthe machine as a whole constitutes a complete organization made up ofseparate mechanisms, each competent to perform a complete act oroperation with respect to the blank, but so connected and combined thateach is dependent upon all the others to effect the ultimate purpose ofthe combination, 2'. e. automatically couverting prepared blanks intofinished vessels. Inasmuch, however, as the several mechanisms possessin themselves novel and valuable features which render them valuable foruse alone or in other combinations, I have made them the subjects ofseparate applications for patents. Thus the devices for elevating acolumn of blanks and selecting and feeding the top most blank therefrom,may be employed to advantage for feeding blanks to various kinds ofmachines; hence it is made the subject of a separate application, SerialNo. 342,614, filed March at, 1890.

The mechanism for edging the blanks, may be employed alone or inconnection with other mechanism, and, with the exception of the specialdevices for reciprocating the edging tool, it is made the subject of aseparate application, Serial No. 269,613, filed April 4, 1888. So, too,the mechanisms for forming and side seaming the body, and the headingmechanism are made the subject of separate applications, Serial No.245,190, filed July 25, 1887, and Serial No. 281,393, filed July30,1388. All matters relating to the special construction of each ofsaid separate mechanisms and claimed in the said pending applicationsare herein disclaimed, the present invention embracing more especiallythe described general combination and sub-combinations existing betweenthe several elements.

Although in illustrating my invention I have shown and described themachine as adapted to form cylindrical vessels only, I wish it to beclearly understood, that I do not intend to limit myself thereto, asother forms of tubular vessels composed of a body having a longitudinalor side seam and a head or bottom attached thereto can in like manner beproduced.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim is- 1. In anorganized machine such as described, the combination of the followingelements: a body forming mechanism; a headingmechanismprovidedwithmovableclamps; and translating devices intermediate the body-formingand heading mechanisms and engaging the body, to advance it intoposition to be engaged by the clamps of the heading mechanism.

2. In an organized machine such as described the combination of thefollowing elements: abody forming mechanism; aheading mechanism providedwith movable clamps to receive the body when formed; translating devicesengaging the finished body and transferring it to the clamps of theheading mech anism; and actuating devices connecting and operating uponsaid several mechanisms as set forth.

3. In an organized machine such as described the combination of thefollowing ele ments: a body forming mechanism; a heading mechanismprovided with movable bodyclamps; translating devices intermediate thebody forming devices and the clamps of the heading mechanism; and ahead-blank feeding mechanism, as setforth.

4. In an organized machine such as de scribed the combination of thefollowing elements: a body forming mechanism; aheading mechanismindependent of the body forming mechanism and provided with body holdingclamps; translating devices intermediate the body forming and headingmechanisms for transferring the bodies from one of said mechanisms tothe other; ahead blank receptacle; translating devices engaging theblanks to transfer them one at a time to the heading mechanism andactuating devices connecting all of said mechanisms substantially asdescribed.

5. In an organized machine such as described the combination of thefollowing elements: a body forming mechanism provided with a mandrel orformer around which the sheetis Wrapped to form the body; side seam ingdevices cooperating with the mandrel to form the side seam While thebody is retained upon the mandrel; a heading mechanism removed from themandrel and provided with body clamps; and translating devices engagingthe body to remove the latter from the mandrel and advance it inposition between the body clamps; .with actuating devices operating saidmechanisms in regular succession as set forth.

6. In an organized machine such as described the combination of thefollowing elements: a mandrel and side seaming devices for forming thebody; a heading mechanism beyond the free end of the mandrel; andtranslating devices movable toward the heading mechanism and engagingthe body on the mandrel to advance said body and properly locate itwithin the heading mechanism; with actuating devices connecting saidmechanisms; as set forth.

7. In an organized machine such as described the combination of thefollowing elements: a body forming mechanism provided with a rotatingmandrel and a reciprocating seaming tool cooperating to form the body; aheading mechanism provided with movable clamps and located beyond theend of the mandrel; translating devices operating upon the bodysurrounding the mandrel, to transfer it from the latter to the clamps ofthe heading mechanism; and actuating devices connecting the saidmechanisms, to cause them to operate automatically in the proper orderas set forth.

8. In an organized machine such as de scribed the combination of thefollowing elements: a body-blank receptacle; blank edging mechanism;translating devices intermediate the body-blank receptacle and theedging mechanism; a body forming mechanism provided With a rotatingmandrel; translating devices intermediate said body forming andedgingmechanism for advancing the edged blank to the body formingmandrel; and actuating devices connecting said edging and formingmechanisms and the translating devices as set forth.

9. In an organized machine the combination of the following elements: abody blank feeding mechanism; a blank edging mechanism; a body formingmechanism; translating devices between said edging and body formingmechanisms; a heading mechanism; translating devices between saidbody-forming and heading mechanisms; a head-blank feeding mechanism; andactuating devices connecting all of said mechanisms substantially asdescribed.

10. In an organized machine the combination of the following elements: ablank feed: ing mechanism; an edging mechanism provided with a blankholding press to which the blanks are delivered by the feedingmechanism; a body forming mechanism provided with a mandrel around whichthe blanks are bent; translating devices between the edging andbody-forming mechanisms for transferring the blanks from the former tothe latter; and actuating devices connecting said mechanisms to effecttheir movements in the proper sequence substantially as described.

11. In an organized machine the combina tion of the following elements:an edge turning mechanism; a body forming mechanism provided with arotatable mandrel longitudinally grooved and carrying a reciprocatingseaming tool; translating devices intermediate the edging and bodyforming mechanisms; and actuating devices connecting said mechanisms;substantially as described.

12. In an organized machine the combination of the following elements: abody forming mechanism provided with an intermittingly rotating andlongitudinally grooved mandrel; translating devices for advancing theblanks one at a time to said mandrel; a heading mechanism removed fromsaid mandrel, and provided with body clamps and head-blank feedingdevices; translating devices for engaging the body and transferring itto the heading mechanism; and actuating devices connecting saidmechanisms, substantially as described.

13. In an organized machine the combination of the following elements: abody forming mechanism provided with a mandrel; a heading mechanismarranged beyond and operating in a plane transverse to the axis of thesaid mandrel and provided with movable clamps; translating devices fortransforming the body from the mandrel to said clamps; and actuatingdevices connecting said mechanisms substantially as described.

14. In an organized machine the combination of the following elements: abody forming mechanism provided with an intermitingly rotating mandrel;a side seaming device; a heading mechanism whose heading diereciprocates in a plane at an angle to the axis of the mandrel; bodyclamps movable from the plane of the mandrel into that of the headingdie; translating devices engaging the body on the mandrel to transfer itto the body clamps; and actuating devices connecting said severalmechanisms substantially as described.

15. In an organized machine the combination of the following elements: abody forming mechanism provided with an intermittingly rotating mandrelor former and a side seaming tool; a heading mechanism located beyondthe'end of the mandrel and provided with an oscillating body holdermovable from the plane of the mandrel to that of the heading devices;translating devices mounted upon the mandrel and engaging the bodythereon; to advance it into the holder; and actuating devices connectingsaid mechanisms to cause them to operate in succession, substantially asdescribed.

16. In an organized machine the combination of the following elements: abody forming and side seaming mechanisms provided with a horizontallyarranged mandrel upon which the bodies are formed; a vertical headingmechanism located beyond the end of the said mandrel; a body holder orcarrier intermediate the mandrel and heading devices and movable fromthe one to the other; translating devices engaging the body on themandrel and transferring it to the body holder or carrier; and actuatingdevices connecting said mechanisms substantially as described.

17. In an organized machine the combination of the following elements: abody forming mechanism provided with a longitudinally grooved andhorizontally disposed mandrel; a blank edging mechanism located to oneside of the body forming mechanism; translating devices for advancingthe edged blanks in cooperative relation with the mandrel; a headingmechanism located beyond but in proximity to the mandrel and providedwith a vertically movable holder for receiving the body and transferringit into position in line with the heading die; translating devices foradvancing the body from the mandrel to the body holder; and actuatingdevices connecting said several mechanisms, substantially as described.

18. In an organized machine the combination of the following elements: aheading mechanism provided with a vertically reciprocating heading dieand an opposing die; an automatic head-blank feeding mechanism; a bodyforming mechanism provided with a horizontally disposed mandrel; anoscillating clamp or body holder located in line with the mandrel andmovable about an axis transverse thereto and between the heading die andits opposing surface or die; translating devices engaging the body whileon the mandrel and advancing it into the clamp-holder; and actuatingdevices connecting said mechanisms, substantially as described.

19. In an organized machine such as de- IIO scribed the combination ofthe following elements: a blank edging mechanism provided with a pressor clamp for holding the blank and an edging tool reciprocatinglongitudinally of and engaging the edge of the blank; translatingdevices connected to and reciprocating with said edging tool, to insertthe blank in the press; translating devices movable at an angle to saidfirst mentioned translating devices and engaging the edged blank, toremove it from the press; and actuating devices connecting saidmechanisms.

20. In an organized machine the combination of the following elements: abody forming mechanism provided with a longitudi nally grooved mandrel,and pressing rolls movable laterally of the mandrel; a blank feedingdevice movable laterally of the mandrel, to advance a blank and insertone edge within the groove in the mandrel; a seaming tool movablelongitudinally of the mandrel; translating devices movablelongitudinally of the mandrel; and actuating devices connecting andoperating said mechanisms.

21. In a machine such as described the combination of the followingelements: a blank holding press having lower movable presserblock;edging tools movable in guides above said presser-block; and translatingdevices above the presser-block when the latter is retracted andoperating to remove or advance the edged blank.

22. In a body forming mechanism the combination of the followingelements: an intermittingly revolving mandrel carrying a longitudinallyreciprocating seaming tool; a stay bar movable laterally of the mandrel;and a clutch device operating to hold the mandrel.

23. In an organized machine such as described, the combination of thefollowing elements: at revoluble mandrel; a seaming tool reciprocatinglongitudinallyof the mandrel; bending rolls and a side-seam staybar'movable laterally of the mandrel; intermitting driving mechanismbetween the mandrel and main driving shaft; and a clutch, actuated fromthe main driving shaft and engaging the mandrel.

24. In an organized machine such as described the combination of thefollowing elements: a body forming and a side seaming mechanism providedwith a mandrel common to the two said mechanisms; a heading mechanismprovided with a body clamp or holder; translating devices cooperatingwith the mandrel to advance the body and locate it within said clamp orholder; and actuating devices connecting and operating said mechanisms.

25. In an organized machine such as described, the combination of thefollowing elements: a heading mechanism; a body forming mechanismarranged adjacent said heading mechanism with its delivery end next thelatter; translating devices intermediate the body forming and headingmechanisms; and actuating devices connecting said mechanisms.

26. In an organized machine such as described the combination of thefollowing ele ments: a heading mechanism; a body forming mechanismadjacent said heading mechanism'and with its delivery end next thelatter; translating devices intermediate said heading and body-formingmechanisms; an edging mechanism adjacent the body formin g mechanismwith its delivery side next the latter; translating devices intermediatethe edging and body-forming mechanisms; a main drive shaft, andactuating devices connecting said shaft and the said several mechanismsto cause their automatic action as set forth.

27. In a machine such as described the combination of the followingelements: an edging mechanism; a body forming mechanism; and atranslating device for moving the blank from its edging to the bodyforming mechanism and provided with elastic or yielding impelling meansand devices acting to positively retract said translating device.

28. In an organized machine such as described, the combination of thefollowing elements; an edging mechanism provided with reciprocatingedging tools; a blank holder; a translating device or pusher connectedto and reciprocating in unison with the edging tool and supported inposition to engage the blank on the holder; a translating device orpusher guided to move transversely to the first named pusher; andactuating devices connecting said mechanisms.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of twoWitnesses.

EDWARD SMALL.

Witnesses:

JOHN E. MoRnIs, JNo. T. MADDOX.

